What is the IGCSE curriculum and is it British?
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an internationally recognised qualification for students in secondary education, typically taken at ages 14–16. It is a two year course, where students sit their final exams in May and June at the end of year 11. Developed by EDEXCEL Pearson, Cambridge, and other boards, the IGCSE serves as the equivalent of the British secondary school qualification GCSE in the UK (which students sit at the end of year 11 before choosing their options for A-Levels), the IGCSE curriculum is specifically designed to meet global international education standards in addition to the British. Students can choose from over 70 subjects, ranging from core subjects English Language and English Literature , Mathematics, and double/triple Science to a variety of languages, arts, and humanities. The majority of students complete 8-10 IGCSE subjects. This system emphasises a broad and balanced education, allowing students to build strong foundational knowledge across a range of disciplines. We currently offer 17 IGCSE's from Pearson, and 1 GCSE (Italian).
IGCSEs are valued for their academic rigour and are known to develop students' analytical, problem-solving, and practical skills, which are essential for further education and professional pathways. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking and independent study habits, making it suitable preparation for higher-level qualifications such as British A-levels/International A-levels which we offer here for our final two years, and other diplomas such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
IGCSE exams are externally graded and moderated on an international scale, making the qualification widely recognized by universities and employers around the world, and equipping students with skills that have broad applications in various fields and contexts.
How are students assessed?
IGCSE students are externally assessed through a combination of final written exams, coursework (Art only), and, in some subjects, practical assessments ( Science subjects, Modern Foreign Languages for spoken assessment, and Art). Each subject generally involves three to five exams, covering different components of the curriculum. For example, English Language is assessed through two two-hour exams, while English Literature has three separate exams, and Maths has four exams. These assessments aim to gauge students' understanding, analytical skills, and depth of knowledge across different subject areas.
In January of Year 11, students typically sit mock exams for all subjects, which provide realistic preparation for the official IGCSE exams held in May and June. The exams vary in length and format depending on the subject, with components often focusing on different skill sets, such as comprehension, critical analysis, and practical application. The mock exams in January allow students and teachers to identify areas for improvement well in advance of the final exams, ensuring thorough preparation.
The results of these final exams determine students' IGCSE grades. Students will receive a grade in August from A* to G. Students need a C to pass the subject, which are necessary for progression onto the A-Levels . Please note each A-Levels subject will have its own requirements (see the A-Levels section for more detail).
What subjects will my child do for IGCSE? How many lessons of each subject will they have per week?
Compulsory subjects
English Literature (3 lessons a week)
English Language (3 lessons a week)
Italian (Italian as a Second Language, for non native Italian students) (3 lessons a week a week for non native, 4 lessons for native)
Slovene (Slovene as a Second Language, for non native Slovene students) (2 lessons a week for non native, 4 for native)
Maths (4 lessons a week)
Science (students must do at least 2 sciences, but are encouraged to do 3)
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Option 1: Students must choose 1
Geography
Business
Option 2: Students must choose 1
History
Computer Science
Modern Foreign Languages (Students must choose 1)
German
French
Spanish
Optional Extra subjects (free)
Art - this will be done 1 day a week after school for 2 hours.
What non IGCSE subjects will my student do in year 10 and 11?
In addition to the IGCSE subjects, students will take 2-4 lessons of Slovene a week (students are split into Native and Slovene Second Language classes).
Students will do a double lesson of PE every week (90 minutes), and take one lesson of PSHE every other week (45 minutes).
Students who are native Italian speakers can not do the IGCSE Italian second language curriculum, but will do 4 lessons of Italian language literature per week.
FAQs
Sadly, Pearson does not offer Slovene IGCSE. If they did, we would offer it!
Due to rules and regulations within Pearson they cannot sit IGCSE Italian as a second language being a native speaker. If they introduce an Italian first language paper, we will offer it.
Yes, they can participate in the art course but not sit the IGCSE.
No, Pearson currently does not offer this course, but if they do, we can offer it.
Yes, we can enter your child for the Chinese IGCSE exam providing their teacher feels they are ready, we can provide the Chinese tutor with sample IGCSE papers too. Please remember the IGCSE exams are A2 with some elements of B1 level of the language, so are not for beginners in the language.
This is the maths teachers decision, this is only possible if your child is working at a grade A or A* in maths.
If your child is sick, we will apply for special consideration from the exam board. The exam board requires a doctors/hospital note, and this will be taken into consideration when allocating the award. For example, if your child has sat 3 of the 4 exams for the subject, the exam board may take the average grade of these papers. If your child is sick and missed multiple exams, the exam board may choose to use their ‘predicted grades’ which are based on their ‘mock exams’ in January of year 11. This can vary case by case, depending on the judgement from the exam board.
If your child has missed an exam for bereavement or other ‘special circumstances’, we can apply for special consideration.
This does not include going on vacation or celebration days within the family such as weddings.
Depending on the capability of your child, usually yes if it is mid year 10 or between year 10 and 11. There will be some differences in modules and components for some subjects such as English Literature, and some structural differences of the exams. However, we recommend finishing with the exam board you started with and some schools in England will enter you for Pearson IGCSE.
The courses are designed for 18 months of study - To begin September year 10 and to be completed by the end of December Year 11, with 2-3 months of revision between February - April before the real exams.
We also need to enter candidates in advance for the exams, however it may be possible for modern foreign languages if your child has B1 proficiency by mid year 10.
Yes, if your child is progressing onto A-levels and maths is the only subject ‘holding them back’, they can re-sit it. They will not be permitted to do maths A-level, without a minimum of a B in IGCSE maths.
Yes they can re-sit, and yes they can progress if English/Humanities are the only subjects they have failed, and have strong grades in maths and science. If your child is progressing to A-levels and they have failed English Language, they will have to resit. They will not be permitted to take a subject they have failed for A-level.
To read more about our subjects and options click here
To read more about our secondary school click here